In 1948, Dubach et al. discovered that, based on tracer studies with isotopic iron, the absorption of inorganic iron salts from the gastrointestinal tract is incomplete in normal subjects and in patients with hypochromic anemia. About 79-98% of the orally administered iron was recovered in the stools. This discovery was the basis for the search of a more readily absorbable iron compound to treat iron deficiency anemia. Due to its water solubility, sodium feredetate or FeNaEDTA (Ferrazone^® BP) is one of the main iron molecules investigated.

Will and Vilter of the University of Cincinnati investigated the therapeutic effects of sodium feredetate in human. They discovered that iron from sodium feredetate was utilized in Hb formation. Subsequently, more studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of sodium feredetate. Wegelius worked on treating infants and young children in Aurora Hospital in Helsinki. She confirmed that the iron-deficient infants and young children responded well to sodium feredetate. Like Will and Vilter, she also discovered that gastrointestinal disturbances were infrequent.

C.F. Herridge of St. George’s Hospital in London conducted a comparative study of the use of sodium feredetate to treat iron deficiency anemia. He verified that sodium feredetate gave the greatest rise in Hb generation (0.57 g/100 ml/week) as compared to ferrous gluconate (0.40 g/100 ml/week) and ferrous succinate (0.35 g/100 ml/week).

Further, Hodgkinson of Parke Davis revealed that iron preparation based on sodium feredetate did not yield astringent taste, produced minimal gastrointestinal disturbances and did not stain the teeth.

In Norway, Kahn and Larsen of Regional Hospital in Trondheim conducted a study to treat iron deficiency anemia in 1-year old children. They administered 41.25 mg of Fe as sodium feredetate. The study showed a significant increase of Hb level immediately after treatment, which was sustained for 4 weeks after treatment was stopped.

As early as 1958, several companies have commercialized hematinic iron preparation based on sodium feredetate molecule. Until today, the brand Ferrostrane™ and Sytron™ are still marketed in France and UK respectively. Lately, formulation based on sodium feredetate has been successfully launched in India under many brand names such as Redefine™, Feredet™, FeRNOBEL™, Ferich™ etc.

The ease of formulating with Ferrazone^® BP makes it suitable for the production of many forms of iron supplement: tablets, gel-caps or syrups.